There are a number of benefits to using VISTA. Some of these are:

Data Consistency

The system ensures the use of the same data by all participating agencies and professionals.

Efficiency

Data duplication and redundant data collection activities will be eliminated.

Economies of Scale

Resources could be pooled by various agencies to obtain additional data or functionality that will benefit all. In addition, the value of collecting additional data or developing an additional model can be easily identified; this can help ensure equity for all participating entities.

New Data Collection and other Approaches

The acceptance of this new technology can act as a catalyst for new approaches to be considered by agencies. For example, the fact that the system is accessible over the Internet, makes it open to the general public. Travelers could use it to obtain traffic and transit information, either pre-route or en-route. At the same time, though, the system could obtain data from the travelers, such as origin-destination node, time of travel and possibly other type of information that traditionally is obtained through surveys.

Data Availability

Authorized users can access the system and functionality at any time, at any location, as long as they have access to the Internet.

Productivity Improvement

It will enable transportation professionals to better do their job by freeing them from tedious tasks of data conversion and manipulation as well as help them better interact with other professionals since they are using consistent data and models. In addition, having all tools and data at hand at any place and time helps them easily perform look-up tasks and presenting their results. Information on any component of the transportation system will be available on-line, enabling time sensitive decisions to be taken within a much shorter time frame. Implementation of the models will be conducted seamlessly and on time.

Creation of a Professional Community

Communication among users could provide for the creation of virtual professional communities. Secondary data, reports, analysis and actions can be available to all responsible parties via the database. This will allow for not only information but also for knowledge exchange. If a county engineer has difficulties performing a task, he can access expertise at another county or state office with a click of a button.

New Product Development

The open architecture of the system will enable developers to validate and test new models based on the same data that all other transportation professionals use, providing credibility to their work and reducing the time to enter the market. Furthermore, the proposed system will enable new users to develop transportation software based on a common platform, reducing software development and implementation costs.

Transparency and Accountability

By using electronic signatures, agencies will know who did, what, when and for what purpose.